Tent campsites near Leeds, Massachusetts often sit at elevations between 400-1200 feet, creating varied microclimates throughout the region. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with substantial snowfall, while summer camping season typically runs May through October with daytime temperatures averaging 70-85°F. Most primitive camping areas require campers to pack out all trash and come prepared with their own water filtration systems.
What to do
Water activities at Tully Lake: The 200-acre lake provides paddling, swimming, and fishing opportunities. The campground offers canoe and kayak rentals for exploring the shoreline and numerous small islands. A camper noted, "We take our canoe and spend the whole day at the lake. You can find lots of private areas to swim, pick blueberries and relax."
Disc golf near dam: Tully Lake Recreation Area features a disc golf course that remains active throughout the camping season. "A disc golf course is also near the dam and was seeing a fair amount of activity," mentions one visitor who explored the recreational options in the area.
Hiking to Doane's Falls: Located within walking distance from Tully Lake campsites, these cascading waterfalls offer photography opportunities and cooling spots during hot weather. "The highlight was Doane's falls, a very quick walk from the campground area," reports a camper who hiked the 4-mile loop around the lake.
White water adventures: Zoar Outdoor provides organized water activities on nearby rivers for campers seeking more adventure. The campground connects directly to rafting services. "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river," explains one reviewer.
What campers like
Private island camping: Some campsites at Tully Lake offer exceptional seclusion, particularly the island site. "I stayed on the island site, which was absolutely amazing. The views are to die for, and it's really meant for people who want to be outdoors in the woods," shares a camper about this unique option.
Car-free camping environment: Barton Cove Campground restricts vehicles at campsites, creating quieter surroundings. "You check in at the office, grab a key to unlock the gate, drive to the campground, unlock gate, drive through gate, lock gate, unload your stuff," explains a camper about the vehicle management system that maintains the peaceful setting.
Spacious tent sites: Many campgrounds feature large, well-spaced sites that provide privacy between camping parties. "We stayed at site 1, which was HUGE and extremely private. Sites closer to the water that we saw were less private, but still very peaceful and spread out," reports a Tully Lake visitor.
Staff assistance with gear transport: Campgrounds with walk-in sites typically provide wheeled carts or ATV transport to help move camping equipment. At Maple Ridge Farm, "They'll drive you in an ATV up to some of the sites that are further away from the parking lot," mentions a camper who appreciated this service.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular tent campsites near Leeds book extremely quickly, especially for peak summer weekends. "The sites fill up weeks out (and can completely fill the day registration opens, which is date-dependent each year...Booking for Memorial Day meant I booked in April)," warns a Tully Lake camper.
Limited cell service: Most primitive camping areas have minimal to no connectivity. At Federated Womens Club State Forest, "Cell phone coverage is faint to nonexistent on Verizon. You may want to download offline maps before you head out here," advises a visitor who found navigation challenging without pre-downloaded resources.
Walk-in site distances: Campgrounds with vehicle restrictions require different preparation than drive-up sites. A Tully Lake visitor notes, "The sites are more rustic and though they provide carts the trails can make hauling them tough. Keeping gear to a minimum is a good idea."
Campground-specific rules: Each camping area maintains different regulations about fires, alcohol, and quiet hours. At Zoar Outdoor, one camper reported, "They don't allow fires at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near facilities: For camping with small children, select locations with reasonable access to bathrooms. At Tully Lake, one family noted, "Our site was fairly far from services, long run with small kids in the middle of the night. Not our favorite place, but to be fair mostly based on our site."
Seek campgrounds with activities: Chester Railway Station offers a unique experience combining tent camping with railroad-themed accommodations. "The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too. You hear the trains running at night," explains a visitor about this kid-friendly option.
Prepare for weather fluctuations: The region experiences significant temperature drops overnight, even in summer months. Pack appropriate clothing layers and sleeping gear rated 10-15 degrees below expected nighttime temperatures.
Visit during weekdays: For quieter family camping experiences with younger children, avoid holiday weekends which tend to attract larger groups. A Tully Lake camper observed, "We went memorial day weekend few years ago, busy holiday of young teens partying. Park staff tried their best, but other campers definitely took away from our stay."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Most tent campsites near Leeds, Massachusetts offer few accommodations for larger recreational vehicles. RV campers should check site dimensions and access road conditions before booking.
Improved facilities at renovated campgrounds: Sodom Mountain Campground has undergone significant upgrades that benefit RV campers. "All roads are dirt and all potholes have been repaired. The clubhouse is being renovated and activities are now back. Great Wi-Fi now, store has been redone and grands are much nicer," reports a long-term visitor.
Consider seasonal stays: Some campgrounds offer monthly or seasonal rates for RV campers looking for extended stays within commuting distance of major cities. At Sodom Mountain, one camper mentioned, "Looking forward to coming back next year to stay for a month like I did this year."
